Swadesh Darshan Scheme

In order to manage the nation’s production of theme-based tourism circuits in 2014–15, the Ministry of Tourism introduced the central sector Swadesh Darshan Scheme. The fundamental goal of this scheme is to depict the tourism industry as a significant force behind job creation, the inspiration behind economic growth, and the creator of synergies with other sectors to enable tourism to realise its potential. This scheme is meant to be implemented with other initiatives from the Indian government, including the Make in India, Skill India, and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

What is Swadesh Darshan Scheme?

• Swadesh Darshan Scheme is the Central sector scheme which was introduced in 2014–15 for the comprehensive development of theme-based tourist circuits.
• The government has launched this scheme in an effort to improve possibilities, enhance tourist experiences, and publicise lesser-known locations.
• Under the Swadesh Darshan, 15 thematic circuits have been selected for development.
• The Ministry of Tourism offers Central Financial Assistance, or CFA, to State Governments and Union Territory Administrations for the construction of circuits’ infrastructure as part of the Swadesh Darshan programme.
• The project components carried out with public financing are entirely centrally sponsored.
• To maximise the available voluntary funding from the corporate sector, Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been included.
• The amount of funding for each project will vary by state and be decided upon using Programme Management Consultants (PMC) comprehensive project reports.
• To direct the mission objectives and vision of the programme, a National Steering Committee (NSC) will be established, with the Minister in charge of the Ministry of Tourism serving as Chairman.
• The country has tourist circuits with a specific subject. The development of these tourism routes will be based on an integrated set of high tourist value, competitiveness, and sustainability principles. 

The Objective of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme:

• To encourage employment by getting local communities involved.
• To plan and prioritise the development of circuits with tourist attractiveness
• Follow pro-poor tourism and community-based development strategy
• Promote the nation’s culture and heritage
• Integrated development of a theme-based circuit identified
• By creating world-class infrastructure in the circuits or locations, to increase the tourist appeal in a sustainable way.
• To inform the local populations of the value of tourism to them in terms of increased income sources, raising the quality of life, and regional development in general.
• To promote regional food, handicrafts, culture, and other aspects of local life in order to create jobs in the targeted areas
• to maximise tourism’s potential for its direct and multiplicative impact on the creation of jobs and the growth of the economy

Swadesh Darshan–15 Theme-Based Circuits:

A tourist circuit is defined as a route with at least three significant tourist attractions that are separate from one another. Circuit entry and exit points ought to be clearly marked. A circuit may be limited to a State or it may be a regional circuit that includes many States or Union Territories. There are currently 15 theme-based circuits in all, including the following: Marine, North-East, Ramayana, Sufi, Mountain, Wildlife, Tirthankara, and Tribal are some of the major categories. Some of them are:

• Buddha Circuit: Buddhist pilgrimage sites are located along the Buddha Circuit. Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh are the states covered.
• Coastal Circuit: India’s extensive coastline includes the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in addition to West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
• Desert Circuit: The Thar Desert’s scorching temperatures and sand dunes, Ladakh’s chilly, dry valleys, and the dry regions of Kutch and Himachal all draw large numbers of tourists.
• Ecotourism Circuit: Uttarakhand, Kerala, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Mizoram are included in the ecotourism circuit.
• Heritage Circuit: Assam, Rajasthan, Puducherry, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Telangana, and Madhya Pradesh are among the states that make up the Heritage Circuit.
• Sufi Circuit: This circuit in India attempts to honour the long-standing Sufi customs of the nation. The Sufi Tradition is still prevalent in the nation today for their guidance on the path of unity in variety, intergroup harmony, and the creation of their own distinctive music, art, and culture.
• Krishna Circuit: The development of numerous popular tourist locations can be attributed to the fact that religion and spirituality have long been common travel objectives. The main goal of the Krishna Circuit is to develop the locations connected to Lord Krishna’s tales throughout numerous states, primarily Haryana and Rajasthan.
• Ramayana Circuit: The major goal of the development of the Ramayana Circuit is to enhance the locations connected to Lord Rama’s legends. The main state of attention is Uttar Pradesh.
• Rural Circuit: The creation of this circuit aims to use tourism as a force multiplier to revive rural economies and provide both domestic and foreign visitors with a sight of the “True” India.
• Spiritual Circuit: Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Bihar, Manipur, Puducherry, and Rajasthan are among the states that make up the Spiritual Circuit.
• Tirthankar Circuit: Throughout the area, there are numerous Jain shrines that express a connection to the actions and way of life of the Jain Tirthankaras.
• Wildlife Circuit: Madhya Pradesh and Assam are the two states that make up the Wildlife Circuit.
• Tribal circuit: Nagaland, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana are part of the tribal circuit.

Significance of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme:

The Swadesh Darshan programme is intended to work in tandem with other initiatives like the Make in India initiative, Skill India, and the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to position the tourism industry as:

• A significant generator of new jobs,
• The engine of economic expansion,
• Fostering collaboration with other industries to help tourism reach its full potential.
• Transforming India into a top-tier travel destination.
• Creating theme-based circuits with an emphasis on environmental and cultural preservation.
• Advancing tourism’s professionalism and modernity

Related Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:

Q1. What is Swadesh Darshan Scheme?

Ans. Swadesh Darshan Scheme is the Central sector scheme which was introduced in 2014–15 for the comprehensive development of theme-based tourist circuits. The government has launched this scheme in an effort to improve possibilities, enhance tourist experiences, and publicise lesser-known locations.

Q2. What are the objectives of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme?

Ans. Some of the objective of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme are:

• To encourage employment by getting local communities involved.
• To plan and prioritise the development of circuits with tourist attractiveness
• Follow pro-poor tourism and community-based development strategy
• Promote the nation’s culture and heritage
• Integrated development of a theme-based circuit identified

Q3. What do you mean by tourist circuit?

Ans. A tourist circuit is defined as a route with at least three significant tourist attractions that are separate from one another. Circuit entry and exit points ought to be clearly marked. A circuit may be limited to a State or it may be a regional circuit that includes many States or Union Territories. There are currently 15 theme-based circuits

Q4. What is Ramayana Circuit?

Ans. The major goal of the development of the Ramayana Circuit is to enhance the locations connected to Lord Rama’s legends. The main state of attention is Uttar Pradesh.

Q5. What is the significance of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme?

Ans. The Swadesh Darshan programme is intended to work in tandem with other initiatives like the Make in India initiative, Skill India, and the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to position the tourism industry as: 

• The engine of economic expansion,
• Fostering collaboration with others  to help tourism reach its full potential.
• Transforming India into a top-tier travel destination.
• Creating theme-based circuits with an emphasis on environmental and cultural preservation.